faith...works, because of it

^{After declaring how believers "receive the promises" of God and are persuaded of them in Hebrews 11.16, the writer of this passage begins to speak of the place prepared for believers where "God is not ashamed to be called their God." (11.16)
In this bloggers bible there is a note that asks the question, "If in that country that is prepared for believers, God is NOT ASHAMED of them, then it reasons by contrast that there are times, in this earthly life, that HE IS ashamed of His children.}  

 ^{WHAT WOULD MAKE THE LORD ASHAMED OF HIS CHILDREN?}  

^{In the examination of faith following verse sixteen, we begin to see "working faith."  That is, things done in obedience to God that believers DID BECAUSE they believed.
We also note in another passage these words:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph 2.8, 9) To be clear, we are not "working" to gain faith, we "work, BECAUSE of faith." So, to get perspective on just how far one may be called on to go "BECAUSE" of faith and trust in the Lord and His Word, let's examine what Bro. Abraham had to do;
In Genesis ....we read the account of Abraham's sacrifice of his only son, Isaac.  Many bible scholars have given decided opinions on the age when this daddy was given such a heartbreaking task.  However, even though Isaac is called, "lad," (Gen 22.5) he would've had to be strong enough to carry the wood. (Gen 22.6).  It would be safe enough to assume, then, that he was an older teen, maybe even twenty or twenty-one since "lad" refers to anyone younger than the writer of this scripture.  
The point is that Abraham had enjoyed fatherhood in his old age for at least 15-20 or so years.  We can ascertain that Bro. Abraham had watched the child grow and gain knowledge and wisdom of all the father could teach him concerning God and the ways of life.  Certainly, Isaac knew about sacrifices, given his inquiry in this passage. (Gen 22.7).  Maybe Isaac had learned, at his father's feet, to give the best of his flock, a young, innocent, beloved lamb for sacrifice. That too, would've been a heartbreaking experience for a young boy.  A prized, loved, soft, sweet, innocent baby lamb. Now, in obedience to his father's command, he travels to a place to make a sacrifice.  He hears his father tell the "young men," that are with the company," I and the lad will go yonder and worship and come again to you." (Gen 22.5)}

^{This blogger has heard it preached, more than once, that Abraham believed God could raise Isaac from the dead, if it was the Lord's will.  It is in this strong faith, Abraham "sets his face like a flint" (Isa 50.7) to obey the Lord's command.}

• ^{Abraham left his home "looking for a city..." (Heb 11.10)} 

• ^{Abraham trusted God for the well-being of his nephew, who chose poorly and lost his wife but was delivered from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Gen 13.10,  19.29)}

• ^{Abraham had believed God when told he would have a son in his old age and that his wife would bear a son in her old age.} 

^{Abraham had seen and heard things of God that built up this strong faith in him.  Faith, strong enough to take the life of his only son at God's command.}  

^{We also know, of course that this is a picture of the Lord Jesus. However, back to the point of what one would do BECAUSE of faith.}

^{I can think of some difficult things I've been directed by the Holy Spirit, to do or not to do because it is right and BECAUSE He said so.  Hard, yes.  Regret, NO!  I even called a woman one morning at 5am at the Spirit's urging to apologize for my attitude about a thing.  Needless to say she wasn't happy at being woke up but later received the apology in the spirit it was given.  I also had to call a woman once and apologize for my attitude, thirteen years after the fact!  She was also gracious in her reception of my words. However, there was a time the Holy Spirit said, "wait," and I didn't.  That particular decision took sixteen years to bear fruit but bear fruit it did.  Don't be caught in that mess.}

^{In Nehemiah's day, when the Lord instructed him to build the wall, " the people had a mind to work." (Neh 4.6)   Do you? Remember what Mary told the servants at the marriage in Cana of Galilee, " whatever He tells you to do, do it!"  (Jn 2.5) Dear reader, it is not known what you will be called on to do for our Lord.  However, it is faithfully believed by this blogger that you've seen enough in your walk of faith to know you can trust Him. "...His commandments are not grievous." (I Jn 5.3)} 

^{So, roll up your sleeves and get to it!}